Review of ‘Peter Pan’ adult panto: “Loads of fairies, but little endowment”

West End’s Phoenix Theatre hosts this new not-so-wholesome retelling of James M. Barrie’s children’s classic starring RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this filthy reshaping of the literary icon manages to poke… some good fun.

Alright – let’s just get over with it. Yes, this is another panto. Yes, it’s an adult one – so it’s filthy, camp, and oversexualized AF (well, there you go…). And yes, this is the same kind of production from last year in terms of who are the ones behind, and on top – and probably bottoming too; I mean it’s theatre so, you know… people just like to come… to watch… I’m not stop trying to amend it…

Anyway. Those who attended last year’s montage at the Harold Pinter havd probably been anticipating this one for a few months now (what an interesting life you’ve got…). There’s a fair reason for it, nonetheless. In all honesty, it was hilarious – and potentially the best one of the season after Sleeping Beauty Takes A Prick. Not surprisingly, the subject was the same. And even less surprisingly, both companies have selected different themes to butcher (pun intended) every remaining speck of innocence that dwells in the stories we were brought up with – well, some of us were more precockious than others (and in case you’re wondering, you haven’t spotted a typo…).

Peter Pan, or the boy who wouldn’t grow up (but definitely would grow something else…) lands on the West End stage in what’s arguably the most “mature” version that little prick (I’m good at guessing) could have ever imagined. Not much is added to the take, though: same main characters, similar story arc, and just a loaded (*smirk*) arsenal of double-entendres and in-your-face bits (*bigger smirk*) to turn the adventures of Wendy and the gang into another kind of adventure – or exploration.

Starring several contestants from RuPaul’s Drag Race, several of whom are coming for a second round (just how we like it…), this definitely over-PG retelling of James M. Barrie’s classic is determined to make morality, decency, and integrity walk the plank ‐ taking very little verbatim from the original source material, and unapologetically delivering a lot of dicktation (again, I don’t make mistakes in my spelling) to take the piss (and that’s not that far away from what a non-Brit would be thinking of) in a way only this kind of shows can do.

A nice, enjoyable effort that’s certain to give its viewers a great deal of laughter, the whole experience manages to keep the amusement high (and its performers undoubtedly higher…) by regaling them with an uncomplicated, feel-good ride – which, though perhaps with not too much thought put into it (though clearly, a lot of head), is still capable of engaging them to an acceptable extent, and regale them with a fun night out (very, very out) by transforming a literally icon into a dragstically edgier doppelgang(bang)er. 

Yet, one can’t help but notice the absence of elaborateness in its execution, with many jokes feeling lazy and slightly predictable – relying too much on obvious innuendos and other similar twists and turns. All of them still have a pass (and no doubt, a few passives), but very little memorability. As a result, the final impression is of an amusing but nonetheless average product – capable of pleasing, but struggling to push any other buttons (or spots) in our system.

Featuring some rather wacky, occasionally uproarious but never fully outstanding performances, a moderately humorous script, and practically no staging whatsoever, Peter Pan is still able to hook its audiences (and bring some hookups all the way through) through its lively comicality and trouble-less attitude. Yet, it could anyway use an extra hand for the job – as though not necessarily disappointing journey, there’s evidently much more that could be done (along with others) before putting its attributes on display. It’s not, by any means, a failed experiment – but just like with all things involving chemistry and fluidity, substance is key before the fisting begins. I meant “feasting” – did I?

Peter Pan plays on Mondays at London’s Phoenix Theatre until 6 January. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara